About

Pelena is a picturesque village located in the Weligama Divisional area of the Matara District in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province. The village consists of three Grama Niladhari divisions and is widely known both locally and internationally as the birthplace of the Most Venerable Pelena Siri Vajiragnana Mahanayaka Thero, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected Buddhist prelates. The scenic beauty of the village is enhanced by the beach to the south and the Polwathu River flowing along its northern and eastern sides.

The Pelena Gangarama Maha Viharaya, the village’s foremost religious institution, was established on 23rd January 1823 along the banks of the Polwathu River. The first Chief Incumbent of the temple was the Venerable Ilwatte Jinarathana Thero. Subsequently, the Venerable Borala Sugathapala Thero, the Venerable Dikkumbure Vimalananda Thero, and the Venerable Pelena Pannananda Thero served as Chief Incumbents of the temple.

In 1991, the Venerable Pelene Mahinda Thero was appointed as the present Chief Incumbent. Due to his current ill health, the Venerable Pelwehera Suseema Thero has been appointed as the Acting Chief Incumbent by the Chief Prelate of the Nikaya. It is also considered a great honour that the Aggamaha Pandita (the highest scholarly Buddhist title), the Most Venerable Madihe Pannaseeha Thero, received his higher ordination (Upasampada) at the Pelena Gangarama Maha Viharaya.

From its establishment to the present day, the temple has played a vital role in religious, educational, social, and community development activities. Although the temple suffered severe damage during the devastating tsunami disaster of 2004, it continues to serve the community through numerous charitable and humanitarian initiatives conducted by the Temple Task Force Committee, the Siri Vajiragnana Dhamma School Teachers’ Association, and the Dayaka Sabha (Devotees’ Council).

These services include providing homes for displaced families, constructing sanitation facilities for underprivileged households, distributing school uniforms and educational materials to children, conducting health and welfare programmes, organizing eye clinics and providing spectacles and lenses, supplying food to low-income Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim families across the island, and offering humanitarian assistance to people affected by natural disasters and hardships regardless of ethnicity or religion.

In addition to its social service activities, the temple also conducts a variety of monthly and annual religious programmes. Among the most significant are the Annual Katina Ceremony, monthly Poya Day observances, and the Annual Tsunami Commemoration Ceremony, all of which continue to strengthen the spiritual and cultural heritage of the village and its community.

Most Venerable Pelena Pagngnananda Thero

He has carried out numerous religious and social services as the Chief Incumbent.